Metal furniture construction



' Aprrifl 3@, w J. R. ANDERSON' L 9 METAL FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 14, 1927 attozucq Patented Apr. 30, 1935 UNITED STATES METAL FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION John Rudolf Anderson, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Republic Steel Corporation, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 14, 1927, Serial No. 161,095

4 Claims.

This invention relates to metal furniture constructicn and has especial reference to the construction of desk tops and the like, wherein a facing of non-metallic substance such as linoleum is provided; andthe invention specifically pertains to a molding for the protection of the edge of the facing, and means for securing the molding in protecting position.

It is common practice in the metal furniture art to provide, in desks for instance, a top surface of fibrous or at least non-metallic material such as linoleum, to obtain the many advantages of a surface presented by such a material over a metallic surface.

Where such a facing material is used some means for protecting the edges must be devised. Moreover owing to the nature of the facing material it is usually necessary that it be backed by a sheet of metal. Further, for appearance as well as strength, vertically depending edging or border members are customarily provided, extending around the edges of the top. The result is that the border members, the top member with its non-metallic facing, and the protecting means for the facing edges, all meet along approximately common horizontal lines; and the problem results as to how best to effect their assembly.

It is toward the solution of this problem that my invention is directed, the objects of the invention being to provide a means for securing the members enumerated in a manner which will be economical, present unbroken exterior surfaces and pleasing appearance, but be of adequate strength and yet allow removal of the facing and its protecting means.

The exact nature of the invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a typical section through an edge of a desk top assembly in which my invention has been incorporated; and Fig. 2 is a detail in perspective of the beading employed.

Referring now to the drawing I is the desk top proper comprising a rectangular sheet of metal which serves as a backing for the linoleum or other facing material 2; the facing being provided with the usual textile base 3 which is secured with the plate I as by gluing throughout the contacting surfaces. The edge of the desk top is formed by a separate member 4 rectangularly bent as shown to present a vertical outside surface in simulation of wood construction. The edge of the panel member I is folded under upon itself. The upper edge of the member 4 is bent to clear the fold in the member I both vertically and horizontally, as indicated, to form a groove extending along and beyond the fold, which thus forms a shoulder in the side of the groove, and the member 4 terminates in a strip of surface 5 contacting with the under side of the panel member, with which it is permanently secured as by spot welding at intervals. The edge of the facing material 2 may be somewhat beveled off as indicated.

For the purpose of protecting this edge I provide a molding or beading 6 of conformation apparent from the Fig. 2 and consisting of a lower member 6' adapted to enter the horizontal groove between the panel member I and the member 4, the extreme edge of the member 6' being upturned as at E" to form a lip adapted to secure the beading in the position indicated in Fig. 1 by engagement with the shoulder formed by the edge of the folded portion of the member i The upstanding portion of the beading is of conformation to closely fit and thus guard the beveled edge of the facing 2, as indicated in Fig. 1. The beading is made of resilient material whereby during its insertion into the groove formed between the members I and 4 the lip 6" may be sprung downwards to alignment with the member 6, and after insertion, that is when assembled as in Fig. 1, the lip will maintain the assembly; and the beading is preferably provided with a bright finish to present a pleasing appearance as well as a perfectly smooth surface.

An advantage of the construction shown is that the two bends and 8 in the member 4 aid materially in giving rigidity to the desk top. It will be noted also that a perfectly uniform appearance is presented by employment of this construction, no securing means for any of the parts being visible.

Another advantage of my construction is that when it is desired to replace the facing 2 the beading 6 may be as easily removed as it was assembled, as by inserting a screw driver between its upstanding edge and that of the members I and 2, forcing it outward against the tension of the lip 5".

What I claim is:

1. Metal furniture construction comprising a horizontal sheet metal panel member and therebelow a sheet metal border member therefor, the panel sheet being bent down and back upon itself, the border member having a vertical face and a horizontal portion bent inwardly therefrom and secured to said panel member beyond the folded back portion of the latter, said horizontal portion having a re-entrant bend arranged to clear the corresponding portion of said panel member to form therewith an L-shaped groove, and a beading having a guard portion extending adjacent the edge of said facing and a portion extending within said groove with a lip at its extremity engaging the edge of the folded back portion of said panel member.

2. Metal furniture construction comprising a horizontal sheet metal panel member and therebelow a sheet metal border member therefor, the panel sheet being bent down and back upon itself, the border member having a vertical face and a horizontal portion bent inwardly therefrom and secured to said panel member beyond the folded back portion of the latter, said horizontal portion having a re-entrant bend arranged to clear the corresponding portion of said panel member to form therewith an L-shaped groove, a. facing backed upon said panel member, and a beading having a guard portion extending adjacent the edge of said facing and a portion extending within said groove with a resilient lip at its inner extremity sprung from the horizontal plane to releasably engage the edge of the folded back portion of said panel member whereby the beading is removably maintained so positioned.

3. A surface edging construction for furniture and the like having a surfacing member and supporting means therefor along a margin thereof comprising, means integrally connected with said supporting means and spaced therefrom along said margin of said surfacing member to provide a recess, an edging strip having a part engaging said member and a web; said web being disposed in said recess, an offset portion on said web, and a shoulder integral with one of said means resiliently engaging said offset portion and normally urging said part toward said member.

4. A surface edging construction for furniture and the like having a surfacing member and means for supporting said member comprising, means providing a slot substantially parallel in depth and length to the general plane of said member and beneath the latter, an edging strip having a web part and an angularly disposed edging part, said web part being disposed in and closely fitting portions ofthe walls of said slot and said edging part being-engagealole-with said member when said web part is in said slot, and means integral with one wall of said slot normally tending to urge said edging part into engagement with said member.

JOHN RUDOLF ANDERSON. 

